As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb  that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Matthew 27:57-60, NIV

 

Jesus’ earthly life was bookended by men named Joseph. Both were called upon to obey God in difficult circumstances; one had even been destined to shoulder the responsibility of raising the God-man.

 

In death, Joseph of Arimathea stepped out of the shadows to do something remarkable. A member of the Sanhedrin, Joseph was well known in the community, wealthy and respected. But it had turned out to be trappings of sorts, as his faith in Jesus put him at loggerheads with the position of the religious establishment.

 

That day, when the Sanhedrin was eventually responsible for sentencing Jesus to death, the conflict in Joseph’s heart and mind came to a head. He knew that Jesus was innocent. Those hours of darkness followed by a quake and splitting of rocks in Jerusalem would not have left him unaffected.

 

Like so many saints called according to God’s purpose, his conviction may have driven him to action. God’s promptings up to that point may have started to make sense. Like Mordecai had told Esther all those centuries ago, it could be that he, too, understood that he had come to assume his position for a time like that day.

 

I stand in awe that God had already placed it on his heart to prepare this tomb. I think if it were me, I would wonder whether my last days were fast approaching – with trepidation too. Yet, he obeyed. 

 

Boldly, he threw off the shackles of secrecy and went to ask for the body of Jesus amid intense opposition. He put the Son of God in his temporary cave where he would spend three days – the sign of his Messiahship.

 

Joseph had the singular privilege of laying the Messiah to rest – no one is ever entombing God ever again. I wonder if he saw the post-resurrection Jesus before He ascended. Or did he quietly look forward to entering his eternal rest and seeing the Risen Christ on the other side?

 

I tend to overlook the courage of Joseph of Arimathea. I forget that he didn’t know how it would turn out, but he obeyed anyway. Do you obey even when it doesn’t make sense?

 

Prayer: Father, thank you for allowing us to come out of the shadows of our fear and walk boldly. Thank you that you have eternal purposes for our lives. Amen.